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The Return
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In the romantic tradition of Dear John and The Lucky One, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with the story of an injured Navy doctor -- and two women whose secrets will change the course of his life.
Trevor Benson never intended to move back to New Bern, NC. But when a mortar blast outside the hospital where he worked as an orthopedic surgeon s ...more
Trevor Benson never intended to move back to New Bern, NC. But when a mortar blast outside the hospital where he worked as an orthopedic surgeon s ...more
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Hardcover, 368 pages
Published
September 29th 2020
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published June 22nd 2020)
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Melanie O'Connor
I just purchased it from Amazon and read it on my kindle.
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Jun 17, 2020
Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Rampling
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
I have been a huge fan of Sparks' previous work, but this did not hit the mark. The Male protagonist was unlikeable, as was one of the females Natalie. He was too full-on, and she was too guarded, and I was seriously frustrated reading their conversations.
The plot around his grandfather and the beehives was much too slow to keep my attention. ...more
The plot around his grandfather and the beehives was much too slow to keep my attention. ...more
The book centers around Trevor Benson, a Navy doctor.
During a tour in Afghanistan, Trevor suffered multiple injuries, including losing a few fingers terminating his career as an orthopedic surgeon. He is suffering from PTSD but he's in therapy to help him deal with it.
Trevor recently lost his grandfather whom he loved and while waiting to begin his second residency as a psychiatrist, he moves back to his grandfather's town in North Carolina. Here he meets two women.
One is a young girl by the ...more
During a tour in Afghanistan, Trevor suffered multiple injuries, including losing a few fingers terminating his career as an orthopedic surgeon. He is suffering from PTSD but he's in therapy to help him deal with it.
Trevor recently lost his grandfather whom he loved and while waiting to begin his second residency as a psychiatrist, he moves back to his grandfather's town in North Carolina. Here he meets two women.
One is a young girl by the ...more
The Return
isn't quite as “Sparksy” as Nicholas Sparks' other books are, but it still delivers a good dose of drama and intrigue.
Trevor was a surgeon whose career ended when he was seriously wounded in Afghanistan. After recovering, he’s on the cusp of starting a new career as a psychiatrist helping veterans with PTSD. But first, he travels to his grandfather’s house in New Bern, NC, following his death, to tend to the man’s beehives and get his affairs in order.
Not long after arriving in to ...more
Trevor was a surgeon whose career ended when he was seriously wounded in Afghanistan. After recovering, he’s on the cusp of starting a new career as a psychiatrist helping veterans with PTSD. But first, he travels to his grandfather’s house in New Bern, NC, following his death, to tend to the man’s beehives and get his affairs in order.
Not long after arriving in to ...more
The Return by Nicholas Sparks is the typical Nicholas Sparks romance I’ve been waiting years for.
I really enjoyed The Return. The Return is a typical Nicholas Sparks romance with two people that shouldn’t be together falling in love. I was so curious to find out what Natalie was hiding and why she was so hot and cold. The mystery of Trevor’s grandfather and Callie was also very interesting. There were so many different aspects of this book that kept the reader interested. I really liked Trevor a ...more
I really enjoyed The Return. The Return is a typical Nicholas Sparks romance with two people that shouldn’t be together falling in love. I was so curious to find out what Natalie was hiding and why she was so hot and cold. The mystery of Trevor’s grandfather and Callie was also very interesting. There were so many different aspects of this book that kept the reader interested. I really liked Trevor a ...more
3.75 stars.
It's my 17th Nicholas Sparks book. And it was a very Nicholas Sparks-esque book. I enjoyed it very much. This isn't one of his best books but definitely not one of his worst either. It's a very enjoyable one. I really liked it. I wish there was a bit more of the romance. I also liked the mild mystery part surrounding the mysterious Kelly, his grandfather, and why Natalie won't commit to Trevor. But after reading 17 of his books, I knew exactly what Nicholas Sparks was aiming at. 😂 Wou ...more
It's my 17th Nicholas Sparks book. And it was a very Nicholas Sparks-esque book. I enjoyed it very much. This isn't one of his best books but definitely not one of his worst either. It's a very enjoyable one. I really liked it. I wish there was a bit more of the romance. I also liked the mild mystery part surrounding the mysterious Kelly, his grandfather, and why Natalie won't commit to Trevor. But after reading 17 of his books, I knew exactly what Nicholas Sparks was aiming at. 😂 Wou ...more
Have you ever "outgrown" an author? My love for Nicholas Sparks started when I was younger and movies like "A Walk to Remember" and "The Notebook" came out. I was was so excited when I found out they were based on books; I read them and have been a fan ever since. Even though some would regard Sparks' writing as formulaic, cliché, and predictable, that was something I kind of enjoyed, like I could always count on him for a good story. His last book, Every Breath, was disappointing to me, but I l
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The story was just Eh.
Took too long to get into it and the protagonist was unlikable. In my opinion, not the best from Sparks.
Took too long to get into it and the protagonist was unlikable. In my opinion, not the best from Sparks.
Nicholas Sparks excels on the quirky, small-town feel with this book. He created some rather ordinary characters, at first glance uninteresting and at second glance, they were everything I wanted to read.
The protagonist Trevor, recovering veteran and retired doctor had a life that was secluded, involved focus on recovery, health and bees. Bees…honestly, I adored this aspect of the story, the foundation and focus it brought to all the characters in the book . And my favourite character? Trevor’s ...more
The protagonist Trevor, recovering veteran and retired doctor had a life that was secluded, involved focus on recovery, health and bees. Bees…honestly, I adored this aspect of the story, the foundation and focus it brought to all the characters in the book . And my favourite character? Trevor’s ...more
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Nicholas Sparks book, and I thought “heck, it’s a new one - why not?”. This book was told from the male p.o.v. and I felt the narration was tedious, too much inner monologue and none of it was terribly engaging. I am not one to step on an author’s hard work, but this one was not for me. I didn’t care about any of the characters, it had multiple plot lines which didn’t evoke any emotion or interest in me and when it was over, I felt nothing. The cover, howe
...more
Dry eyed and mostly satisfied!
No tissues required for this contemporary but slightly uncharacteristic Sparks novel.
Protagonist Trevor, a war-veteran surgeon who finds himself home in New Bern, North Carolina. He is there to recover and retrain, after a career-ending injury in Afghanistan. Suffering from PTSD and physical injuries he returns to his grandfather’s house, following his death, to tend to his bees and decipher the message he was given from his grandfather's death bed.
Natalie, a police ...more
No tissues required for this contemporary but slightly uncharacteristic Sparks novel.
Protagonist Trevor, a war-veteran surgeon who finds himself home in New Bern, North Carolina. He is there to recover and retrain, after a career-ending injury in Afghanistan. Suffering from PTSD and physical injuries he returns to his grandfather’s house, following his death, to tend to his bees and decipher the message he was given from his grandfather's death bed.
Natalie, a police ...more
DNF.
Poorly written. Shallow character development. Flat plot line (enough about the bees!!!).
Poorly written. Shallow character development. Flat plot line (enough about the bees!!!).
Trevor is recovering from injuries he received while serving as a navy doctor in Afghanistan.
He hears that his grandfather is seriously ill and immediately goes to visit him. When his grandfather dies Trevor moves into his house to look after the bee hives and decides to repair the cottage.
He befriends Natalie who works for the Sheriffs office and the pair become close.
A wonderful summer read with some lovely characters and I learnt a lot about bee keeping.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Br ...more
He hears that his grandfather is seriously ill and immediately goes to visit him. When his grandfather dies Trevor moves into his house to look after the bee hives and decides to repair the cottage.
He befriends Natalie who works for the Sheriffs office and the pair become close.
A wonderful summer read with some lovely characters and I learnt a lot about bee keeping.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Br ...more
4.5 stars - really enjoyed this one!
The last "Sparks" book I read was a "one-star"... this one is joining the pile. OMG, what a load of drivel. At one stage I was going to give up but I decided to persevere just to see HOW he is a best-selling author. Talk about juvenile ... very little character development. The main guy, Trevor, acting like a silly teenager. I cannot find anything good to say about this... even the Bees bored me. So long, Nicholas, won't be picking up one of your books in the future ...
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I just love a good romance. Sparks has done it again. If you love romances and happy endings then you should grab a copy of this one. I bet we see this one on the big screen in the future.
5 stars and I HIGHLY recommend this book.
5 stars and I HIGHLY recommend this book.
I will preface this review by saying I loved The Notebook and have read and enjoyed many of Sparks other novels but this one just fell a bit flat for me. It has been some time since I’ve read one of his books and I do wonder if because I loved The Notebook so much and yet not this one was because of the passage of time. I read the others in the late 90’s and early 00’s when attitudes to women were different and at the risk of sounding terribly ‘woke’ I felt Trevor was a bit sleazy. I don’t think
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⭐️4 Stars⭐️
The Return by Nicholas Sparks (author of The Notebook) is a well-written, charming and touching story of a navy surgeon who is sent home after being severely injured by a mortar explosion while working in Afghanistan.
Trevor Benson has PSTD also known as post-traumatic stress disorder, he struggles with ‘the darkness’ because his injuries were so severe from the explosion that went off while he was outside the hospital he worked at.
Trevor returns to New Bern, North Carolina to heal a ...more
The Return by Nicholas Sparks (author of The Notebook) is a well-written, charming and touching story of a navy surgeon who is sent home after being severely injured by a mortar explosion while working in Afghanistan.
Trevor Benson has PSTD also known as post-traumatic stress disorder, he struggles with ‘the darkness’ because his injuries were so severe from the explosion that went off while he was outside the hospital he worked at.
Trevor returns to New Bern, North Carolina to heal a ...more
"Maybe," Bowen said. "Or maybe not. There's no way to know for sure. And while it may be normal to feel guilty, it's also important to remember that guilt is simply an emotion, and like emotions, it will eventually pass. Unless you choose to hold on to it." Books by Nicholas Sparks are like Hallmark movies, in my opinion. The plot is mostly predictable, but it's enjoyable read nonetheless. The Return is your typical Sparks book set in North Carolina with a complex love story. However, this one h
...more
This was a nice book. I use the word nice deliberately as it wasn’t dreadful but it also wasn’t outstanding. It was a nice, average book.
Our main character Trevor is a good guy, but he’s a little creepy for my liking. Almost obsessive and stalker like in places. Natalie is a bit unlikeable. She could have explained her situation quite easily and spared them both heartache!
I did enjoy the story and, whilst predictable, I’m glad it ended as it did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ...more
Our main character Trevor is a good guy, but he’s a little creepy for my liking. Almost obsessive and stalker like in places. Natalie is a bit unlikeable. She could have explained her situation quite easily and spared them both heartache!
I did enjoy the story and, whilst predictable, I’m glad it ended as it did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ...more
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was concerned with some of the reviews but I thought the plot and characters were very intriguing. The nerd in me ate up all the facts about bees and beekeeping. Recommend giving this one a read for an interesting plot drenched with suspense and mystery with romance of course.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was concerned with some of the reviews but I thought the plot and characters were very intriguing. The nerd in me ate up all the facts about bees and beekeeping. Recommend giving this one a read for an interesting plot drenched with suspense and mystery with romance of course.
Hopeful, heart-wrenching, and bittersweet!
The Return sweeps you away to the small town of New Bern, North Carolina and into the life of Trevor Benson, a young doctor and wounded war vet who inadvertently stumbles across a mystery and unexpectedly falls in love when he heads to his late grandfather’s home to regroup, refocus, heal and prepare to move on.
The prose is smooth and effortless. The characterization is well-developed with a wonderful cast of characters that are multilayered, strong, sec ...more
The Return sweeps you away to the small town of New Bern, North Carolina and into the life of Trevor Benson, a young doctor and wounded war vet who inadvertently stumbles across a mystery and unexpectedly falls in love when he heads to his late grandfather’s home to regroup, refocus, heal and prepare to move on.
The prose is smooth and effortless. The characterization is well-developed with a wonderful cast of characters that are multilayered, strong, sec ...more
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4.5 stars
‘Most importantly, it’s the story of two different women, though one was really just a girl at the time.’
An author regarded as the master of love and romance stories, Nicholas Sparks is a worldwide sensation. With over thirteen contemporary romance novels to his name, published worldwide and translated into over fifty different languages, Sparks is a novelist who needs no introduction. A highly anticipated read by his fans, The Return is a touching ...more
4.5 stars
‘Most importantly, it’s the story of two different women, though one was really just a girl at the time.’
An author regarded as the master of love and romance stories, Nicholas Sparks is a worldwide sensation. With over thirteen contemporary romance novels to his name, published worldwide and translated into over fifty different languages, Sparks is a novelist who needs no introduction. A highly anticipated read by his fans, The Return is a touching ...more
Wounded Navy Vet, Trevor Benson moves to New Bern, NC after his only remaining family, his grandfather, passes away. A lover of bees, he left his house and beehives behind to his grandson. Trevor was a surgeon, but due to his injuries he can no longer operate. He plans to do a psychiatric residency in Baltimore that starts in the summer. But in the meantime he fixes up his grandfather’s house in New Bern. It’s there that he meets two women who will forever change his life.
The Return is best-sel ...more
The Return is best-sel ...more
I'm a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks, so I had high hopes on this book and was eagerly waiting to read it.
Initially it took me some time to actually get into the story and there was also a point when I thought of setting it aside for another day. However, I continued to read on since I was curious to know what happens.
The plot moves extremely slow and nothing much really happens until the last few chapters. Also, I felt that chemistry between the main characters, Trevor and Natalie, was slightly m ...more
Initially it took me some time to actually get into the story and there was also a point when I thought of setting it aside for another day. However, I continued to read on since I was curious to know what happens.
The plot moves extremely slow and nothing much really happens until the last few chapters. Also, I felt that chemistry between the main characters, Trevor and Natalie, was slightly m ...more
3.5 stars for now, subject to change as I reflect more. I was expecting an emo love story, but it’s certainly not like the majority of his work. It’s more about a friendship vs. a love story. But, it’s a quick read that had me guessing and had very strong characters. Full review to come on my Instagram on pub day (9/29)
Gentle and Slow Moving
There is a gentle, smooth rhythm to this book. The story emerges slowly, one bit at a time. I enjoyed it and by the end I was entirely invested in it.
There is a gentle, smooth rhythm to this book. The story emerges slowly, one bit at a time. I enjoyed it and by the end I was entirely invested in it.
The Return by Nicholas Sparks
My feelings after receiving this book:
Well, from childhood I have three fantasies, One) I will date Harry Potter, Two) Chris Evans will reply to my msgs, Three) One day I will receive a copy from Sir Nicholas Sparks or the publisher of his upcoming book!
2 years back the last fantasy was as impossible as me dating Harry Potter or the other one!
Mr. Sparks’s books are the reason that I ever started reading novels. I still remember the year 2014, for the first time I s ...more
My feelings after receiving this book:
Well, from childhood I have three fantasies, One) I will date Harry Potter, Two) Chris Evans will reply to my msgs, Three) One day I will receive a copy from Sir Nicholas Sparks or the publisher of his upcoming book!
2 years back the last fantasy was as impossible as me dating Harry Potter or the other one!
Mr. Sparks’s books are the reason that I ever started reading novels. I still remember the year 2014, for the first time I s ...more
The Return
Nicholas Sparks
After reading this book, I'm amazed that I ever liked any of Nicholas Sparks books. In hindsight, I realise that I perhaps liked the movies better, because of the added factors of music and good-looking faces. If this book is like any of his previous books, then suffice to say that these stories are abysmally boring and pathetic, and if you like Nicholas Sparks and hate on twilight, then you are literally worthless and have zero appreciation for good writing.
Nicholas Sp ...more
Nicholas Sparks
After reading this book, I'm amazed that I ever liked any of Nicholas Sparks books. In hindsight, I realise that I perhaps liked the movies better, because of the added factors of music and good-looking faces. If this book is like any of his previous books, then suffice to say that these stories are abysmally boring and pathetic, and if you like Nicholas Sparks and hate on twilight, then you are literally worthless and have zero appreciation for good writing.
Nicholas Sp ...more
The Return by Nicholas Sparks a four-star you will return too. This was like a story of two parts the first half I nearly didn’t finish multiple times, but the second half was all five-star read. The first half wasn’t a bad story, it was just so descriptive, and repetitive, normally I like a good description, but this just kept going. The thing I did enjoy so much was Carl Haverson a man we didn’t meet physically but a man who left a hole, big and dark and needing to be filled, ideally with the
...more
Classic NS. All the feels. This one gave me a few chuckles along the way as the narrator tells a great story.
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Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 105 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 75 million copies in the United States alone.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the n ...more
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the n ...more
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“Because who is ever really fixed when it comes to mental or emotional health? Life takes radical twists and turns, and hopes and dreams shift”
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“I don't have the answer to that, other than to observe that friendship has to flow both ways. Both of you have to be willing to invest in the friendship in order to maintain it.”
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